John Isherwood

The main problem with this model, and one which is virtually impossible to correct, is that the plank joints are raised rather than recessed - a common, money-saving dodge at the time! John Isherwood.

Presumably you missed this, (Posted Wednesday at 10:36) :- John Isherwood.

As it stands, I tend to agree that the Falcon Brass range has little, if any, resale value - hard though that may be for the current owners. What is needed is for the range to be written off as an assett, and offered FOC to someone who can demonstrate that they have the time and skills to put it back on its feet. That would also require dedication and a sound knowledge of railways. Thoroughly overhauled to eliminate errors and build issues, the kits could have considerable attraction to the experienced end of the hobby. I appreciate that the modern pace of life means that a declining number of persons can call upon these qualities and resources, but the current global situation might just prompt someone to step up to the challenge. Let's hope so, John Isherwood.

Line seven, second left - missing brake handle; (but the b*ggers are always becoming detached, aren't they)! Regards, John Isherwood.

As a small trader myself, I do not underestimate the complexity of running a model railway business - the secret is to run it on your terms and to keep it simple. Looking at the product range of Dart Castings, they are perfectly placed to source the castings that are required for the Falcon Brass kits. So, it comes down to analysing the kits; deciding which have a viable future; assessing demand; ordering the etches and packing and despatching orders; (the latter being something they are already set up to do). As to demand; advertising the viable kits as being potentially available, subject to demand, and inviting expressions of interest; (to be followed when sufficient interest is evident by a 50% deposit); would soon establish that. Now I, of all people, know that demand can easily outstrip the amount of time that the proprietor has available, or is prepared to devote to the venture. That being the case, if the proprietors do not have the capacity to service the range, it would be better for all concerned for them to dispose of it. What I do know from experience; (see photos above); is that these kits should have potential; it depends upon someone being willing to develop it. (.... and no - it won't be me; at nearly 71 I have quite enough on my plate - but I would build some more Falcon Brass wagons, given the chance)! John Isherwood.

Interesting - I'm assuming that this is via the Dart Castings stand? "down south"? Cornwall, where I am, is "down south" - I wonder? John Isherwood.

To the best of my knowledge, Falcon Brass was stated by Samantha to have ceased trading, in response to the adverse posts here. John Isherwood.

Those Cambrian one-piece bogie mouldings are relatively new - at least interms of the early Cambrian wagon kits. John Isherwood.

As with all kits 'of a certain age' - it all depends how much time and effort you are prepared to put into the build. John Isherwood.

That's easily solved - keep a small stock of 3 x 1mm. milled brass angle. John Isherwood.

In what way - are you saying that these kits are ludicrous? My photos above prove otherwise! John Isherwood.

I think that there is a market for their products as they stand - yes, you do get the odd error, but usually nothing that can't be corrected. Panelling lines on the wrong side? Fill them with solder and scribe them on the correct side! John Isherwood.

As requested - Jidenco / Falcon Brass wagon kits are perfectly fine as far as I am concerned. John Isherwood.

Not moral high ground - just a sensible level of cynicism. I learnt years ago, having been for some time financially under-provided, that one's income is hard-earned, and should not be disposed of at the behest of a 'flim-flam man'. Show me a product - or a sound record of producing quality products - and I'll likely buy, or pre-order, if I have a use for it. If it's a new venture, be very wary from the outset. If the proposer needs your money to proceed, regard the proposal as no more than a 'hot tip' on the Grand National - and don't moan and blame the trainer / horse / jockey when it fails to come home at all; yet alone first across the line! John Isherwood.

Precisely - would you buy a used car - or a fictional locomotive - from that man? John Isherwood.

Mick, I will see if I can dig out the chemical pan trolley and the cement hopper - they were built in Jidenco days. The Falcon Brass ones are not high on the 'to build' list, but I seem to recall a (GWR or SR) ballast plough brake, and an LMS ballast hopper, being amongst them. Regards, John Isherwood.

Because exercising due diligence would make one very wary of someone who needed to ask for money up-front for a product that was still only a figment of his imagination. If someone approached you with a proposal to produce a new kettle / toaster / food mixer, and wanted you to fund it up-front, would you oblige? Any company that proposes a new venture of high quality should have been able to convince a financial institution to provide funding; if they can't, you should ask why! This whole tale of woe is a classic case of letting enthusiasm and hype cloud judgement, and come before common sense and financial prudence. I hope those affected have learned a lesson. John Isherwood.

I have built a number of Jidenco wagon kits, and I have several Falcon Brass ones still to do. My experience is that the kits are of their time - buildable with care; not overly detailed but capable of improvement, and produce an unusual and perfectly acceptable model if assembled with thought and care. For instance; I built the LNWR chemical pan trolley, which just needed some minor detailing; and the LMS cement hopper, which checked out very well against the original LMS drawings; (and I mean drawings, not diagram); and produced a most unusual wagon; (which was also used as PO by, I seem to recall, Stanton & Staveley). These kits are not for the 'shake the box' brigade, but are ideal for those with some soldering and forming skills, and certainly add variety to freight wagon rakes. John Isherwood.

Tony, You are totally correct, and there isn't a viable stance to the contrary. Looked at from any perspective; origins of motive power; designers of motive power; ditto rollings stock; ditto age of rolling stock; ....... etc., etc., ..... I don't dismiss those who enthuse over today's railways at all; it's just that they can have no concept of the variety and difference in character of all aspects of Britains railways back in the times that we remember. .... and today's railway scene is the blander for it. John Isherwood.

I hate to mention it, but that Airfix (Dapol) kit cost 2/- (10p) when first introduced. Regards, John Isherwood.

It's such a shame that the same management can't be applied to Falcon Brass. I can see that holding stock of expensive etches would not be viable, but I would have thought that it would be possible to offer the range on an expression of interest basis. Once sufficient prospective orders were received for a particular subject to make it viable to order the etches, a 50% deposit could be taken, with the balance payable when the kits were ready for despatch. This has been done by other kit producers. Not likely, though, I'd guess. John Isherwood.

Yeah - dang-dang-dang is much closer. I remember lying in bed at my grandmother's house - Greenfield, near Oldham - and listening to what seemed to be an endless parade of Austerity-hauled trains running over the viaduct in the middle of the village. What a lullaby! John Isherwood.

That is reassuring - MJT and ABS components have been the basis of my rolling stock building for decades. Fortunately, I have a fair stock of the latter, but I'm hoping that someone can take on that part of Adrian's range in due course. Sad to think that he's no longer with us; I'll miss his outraged e-mails every time a new RTR product was released. John Isherwood.

I suppose a chassis assembled under wartime conditions had rather a lot of 'play'; slop in the bearings would be needed to compensate for this. John Isherwood.

I think that story was that Samantha took on the running of Falcon Brass as a home-working project, so that she could also look after her disabled child. It became clear, quite quickly, that she could not cope with both responsibilities and so long delays / failure to receive correct goods became inherent with placing orders. This generated negative postings here, which were cited by Samantha as her reason for ceasing to trade. All rather messy! Given the family connection, how about Dart Castings / MJT Components, etc.? Has anyone placed an order lately? If so, what was the service like? John Isherwood.